Show us your sculpture or brew rig

[datamike]

Mine is still a work in process. I am about three weeks into it. It's based on the Brutus 10, but will feature an adjustable sparge arm and whirlpool chilling. I am also using the ECC 460 for system control. That's why there is no mounting arm for a control panel. I built a small table out of the same 2"x2" tubing to hold my laptop.

Here's a pic of the current state of the project:

And there's a build log here: BrewDevil Build

Michael

 

[mrbowenz]

Mine is still a work in process. I am about three weeks into it. It's based on the Brutus 10, but will feature an adjustable sparge arm and whirlpool chilling. I am also using the ECC 460 for system control. That's why there is no mounting arm for a control panel. I built a small table out of the same 2"x2" tubing to hold my laptop.

Here's a pic of the current state of the project:

And there's a build log here: BrewDevil Build

Michael

That looks great !

 

[ddknight]

Here's what I've come up with:

 

[mkultra69]

As with most of us, still a work in progress. Built the table my self so that its the perfect height to feed my keg, and hold all my brew stuff.

 

[Sonny]

This is my first post on this forum and would like to thank all who post here and share their time and knowledge. This post is awesome! I dont think you can find a bigger compilation of rig pics in one place. I've been working on this for some time now. Its finnaly come to its 2.0 version and has an integrated Arduino Microcontroller recording 11 temps into an access database. Arduinos are fun!

I have more Pics if anyone wants to see them.

 

[stevecaaster]

Sonny, that is sick, i like the gui, how did you build it? I am attempting something similar (running my brew rig on a windows based control system). could you please elaborate a bit on the software side of your rig please?

 

[pompeiisneaks]

Well from what I see on his laptop, its running access. The underlying question I can't answer is how he gets data from his controller TO access. There may be some functionality in the hardware to send data straight into an access db, or he has some intermediate program that reads data from the brew hardware/software and inserts the data into his db. Either way, the access db is representing data from a database and/or some links to the brew hardware/software. I'd like to know more too, how does it interface w/ access <=> brew hardware/software?

 

[TeufelBrew]

Nothing fancy, no GUI's, nothing automated or electric. Just a repurposing of what I have on hand already.

I've found that half the fun of homebrewing for me is making stuff up as I go. McGyver myself some fun toys or tools and go with it.

 

[Sonny]

Well from what I see on his laptop, its running access. The underlying question I can't answer is how he gets data from his controller TO access. There may be some functionality in the hardware to send data straight into an access db, or he has some intermediate program that reads data from the brew hardware/software and inserts the data into his db. Either way, the access db is representing data from a database and/or some links to the brew hardware/software. I'd like to know more too, how does it interface w/ access <=> brew hardware/software?

Gents,
In summary. I created a .jpg in photoshop of the brewery diagram and inserted it into an access form. Created the dynamic labels(in access) to read from the serial port. The arduino has three lines with multiple temp sensors with code that loops the lines looking for the DS18B20 temp sensors. Once a temp sensor is found the aruino serial prints to the usb port and in ms access there is a control called mscomm1 that grabs the data and prints it to the labels that are positioned on the form over the diagram. I am not a programmer by trade but my brother is a guru(thanks for all the help Bro!!). Took us about 11 hrs one weekend to program the arduino and ms access to be so cool. The arduino is mounted with the pump and stir controlls in the grey utility box you see the wires running out. The temp sensors are cycled through and display new temps every 12 seconds. Once the data is inside access there is a simple SQL created to stuff the data into a linked access table that relates to the certain beer record in the database described below(dont want to inflate the working database with a ton of data. I brewed the other day for the first time with this software and it was amazing. I can now log and graph all the data from the brew session. I can see the HeatX and the 4 different temps on a graph if i wanted to. The temp sensors and data are logged as follows, ambient temp, date time, Mash, HLT, Boil, CFCWastewaterCold, CFCWastewaterHot, CFCWortCold, CFCWorthot, (hot water heater)HWHCold, HWHHot, HWH(Water). The small blue pot in the second pic is a hot water heater(brew water through a copper pipe in a pot of boiling water) with some nifty tri-clamp fittings i can use it to heat brew water or wort as in a RIMS style brewery. Its always nice to have hot water at a moments notice for cleaning and such, it also takes much less time to hit strike and sparge temps. The other pic of the screen is another form in the access database that i created to log and create recipies and help me through the brew session. It calculates everything form mash volumes to estimated gravity and much more. Im at the office and dont have any more pics. Ill send more when i get to the house. Hope this clears up some questions. Let me know if you want to know more.

Regards,
Sonny

 

[bnscherm]

All electric HERMS. I just finished the kettle yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to brew with it yet.

More pics

 

[bendavanza]

Just finished, planning to brew this week
full story here: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-first-3-tier-gravity-brew-stand-104666/

 

[silvervan83]

This is me.

 

[COLObrewer]

You asked for it!

Next additions:

And the cleanup crew:

Vern:rockin:

 

[virus692]

And the cleanup crew:

Vern:rockin:

I have heard of Chicken and beer but I think you are starting the marinading a little early... I mean they still have feathers

 

[COLObrewer]

Feathers filter out the grease.

 

[Elut]

I was just wondering, for those in this thread who use a computer controlled system, what card/box are using to make the link between the brewing system and the computer?

And what soft are you using?

 

[datamike]

I was just wondering, for those in this thread who use a computer controlled system, what card/box are using to make the link between the brewing system and the computer?

And what soft are you using?

I am using the ECC 460 PLC: Embedded Control Concepts: BCS-460 Temperature Controller

You can connect to it via an ethernet cable. Or flash a wifi router with firmware to turn it into a wireless bridge and connect wirelessly.

The interface is simply a browser. I use and recommend Firefox.

Michael

 

[Couevas]

Just finished mine up last night
Here is the build thread

 

[Sonny]

I was just wondering, for those in this thread who use a computer controlled system, what card/box are using to make the link between the brewing system and the computer?

And what soft are you using?

I use the Arduino. You'll have to program the software yourself.

 

[TommyBoy]

I am using the ECC 460 PLC: Embedded Control Concepts: BCS-460 Temperature Controller

You can connect to it via an ethernet cable. Or flash a wifi router with firmware to turn it into a wireless bridge and connect wirelessly.

The interface is simply a browser. I use and recommend Firefox.

Michael

I am interested is this as I am automating my rig and would love to control it off a laptop. Do you have a pic of it in your control panel? Are you running gas or electric on your rig?

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Just finished mine up last night
Here is the build thread

Nice. You might want to consider replacing that switch with a waterproof box. They're not expensive. Something like this might work nicely.

 

[Couevas]

Nice. You might want to consider replacing that switch with a waterproof box. They're not expensive. Something like this might work nicely.

Yeah,
I was thinking about that. I will look into it this weekend.

 

[Lil' Sparky]

I've got a switch for my pump, too. There's no extra plug outlet. It's just a grey box enclosing a switch. Flipping the switch on the box moves some forks on the inside that flip the actual switch. Works well and I don't worry about it getting wet. I think the flip-top covers should be fine, too.

 

[Couevas]

I think a flip-top cover will be more than enough. Spilling/over-flowing is not much of a problem in the MLT. All I have to worry about are random plumbing leaks. Your setup is extra safe and I have to say, I appreciate that. Good work!

What do yo uthink of the rest of the build here

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Yeah, I know what you mean, but I still end up spilling crap everywhere. Every time I pull a disconnect something goes somewhere.

The build looks great. Very similar to my stand. I think the single tier stand is the best design! I much prefer it over the 3-tier I built first.

 

[lehr]

I guess I'll join the club.

 

[Denny's Evil Concoctions]

I guess I'll join the club.

Oooh. Shiny!

Come on, a real brewer would have burnt wort from boil overs on the side of his kettle. And where are the dents? Yeesh...




Seriously though.. do you have to wear welding glasses around that thing on a sunny day?

 

[Lil' Sparky]

I guess I'll join the club.

C'mon now, seriously? Mods - isn't there some rule about people posting rediculous stuff like this? Can't we get this guy banned for showing off or something?

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Oooh. Shiny!

Come on, a real brewer would have burnt wort from boil overs on the side of his kettle. And where are the dents? Yeesh...




Seriously though.. do you have to wear welding glasses around that thing on a sunny day?

If I remember correctly, this is the guy who built this beautiful work of art without ever brewing all grain first. So you're right - there's no burnt wort, dents, etc., because it's never been used.

It really is shiny, though. Me likes shiny!

 

[FSR402]

If I remember correctly, this is the guy who built this beautiful work of art without ever brewing all grain first. So you're right - there's no burnt wort, dents, etc., because it's never been used.

It really is shiny, though. Me likes shiny!

It's like the really nice car that never leaves the garage. Just wipes it down with a diaper